Mount Martha

Population growth drivers in Mount Martha are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

The population of Mount Martha is estimated at 20,161 as of May 2026, based on ABS updates and AreaSearch validation. This figure represents an increase of 315 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 19,846. The growth was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 102 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 667 persons per square kilometer. Mount Martha's 1.6% growth since census is within 0.4 percentage points of its SA3 area (2.0%). Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the suburb is projected to expand by 3,084 persons, reflecting a gain of 15.3% in total over the 16 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Mount Martha recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Mount Martha has experienced around 67 dwellings receiving development approval per year. An estimated 339 homes were approved over the past 5 financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, with a further 38 approved so far in FY-26. On average, approximately 0.5 people have moved to the area for each dwelling built over these years, indicating that supply has been meeting or surpassing demand, providing greater buyer choice while supporting potential population growth above projections.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $1,722,000, suggesting developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, $10.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development in Mount Martha compared to Greater Melbourne. The area has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and places among the 49th percentile of areas assessed nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings. New building activity shows 72.0% standalone homes and 28.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

The location has approximately 330 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. Looking ahead, Mount Martha is expected to grow by 3,084 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth in the area.

Mount Martha has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 49thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 7 projects potentially affecting the area. Notable ones are: Mount Martha North Foreshore Toilet Renewal, Briars Wildlife Sanctuary Expansion, Briars Class A Recycled Water Project, and Mount Martha Village Parking and Footpath Upgrade, Watson Road. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment performance in Mount Martha ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

Mount Martha has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 1.6% as of December 2025. Employment grew by 2.1% over the previous year, according to AreaSearch data aggregation.

As of December 2025, 10,401 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 3.2% lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%. Workforce participation in Mount Martha was 62.3%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. Census responses indicated that 31.1% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training sectors.

Construction has a particularly strong presence with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing shows lower representation at 2.1% compared to the regional average of 5.2%. Over the year to December 2025, employment increased by 2.1% while labour force grew by 2.2%, with unemployment remaining largely unchanged. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, with a rise in unemployment of 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mount Martha's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

Mount Martha suburb has a median taxpayer income of $53,074 and an average income of $82,981 based on the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Nationally, these figures are high compared to Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164. By March 2026, estimates suggest the median income will be approximately $58,180 and the average income $90,964, considering a 9.62% growth in wages since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Mount Martha fall around the 65th percentile nationally. The income distribution shows that 29.7% of residents (5,987 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually. This is consistent with broader trends across metropolitan regions where 32.8% of residents fall into the same income bracket. Economic strength in Mount Martha is evident through 32.4% of households earning high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, indicating strong consumer spending power. After housing costs, residents retain 86.7% of their income, demonstrating robust purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Mount Martha is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Mount Martha's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Martha stood at 43.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.5% and rented ones at 12.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, exceeding Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Mount Martha was $496, higher than Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Mount Martha's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Mount Martha features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 78.2% of all households, consisting of 37.5% couples with children, 31.1% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 21.8%, with lone person households at 20.8% and group households comprising 1.0%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Mount Martha shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Mount Martha has 29.3% of residents aged 15+ with university degrees, compared to Greater Melbourne's 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.9%). Vocational credentials are held by 36.2% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 14.4% and certificates at 21.8%. Educational participation is high, with 29.9% currently enrolled in formal education: 10.9% in primary, 9.7% in secondary, and 3.9% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.9% in primary education, 9.7% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Mount Martha has 78 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four distinct routes that collectively facilitate 805 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is deemed good, with residents typically residing 341 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most Mount Martha residents commute outside the suburb. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation for these outward-bound journeys, used by 95% of residents. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling in Mount Martha, which is higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a significant proportion of residents, 31.1%, work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 115 trips per day, equating to roughly 10 weekly trips per individual stop.

Mount Martha's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

AreaSearch's assessment shows Mount Martha performed strongly in health metrics. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low among the general population, nearing national averages for older, at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover was exceptionally high at 60% of the total population (12,005 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7%. The most common conditions were arthritis (9.1%) and asthma (7.7%), with 67.7% reporting no medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Under-65 health outcomes were better than average. Mount Martha had 27.6% residents aged 65 and over (5,564 people), higher than Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Senior health outcomes were above average but ranked lower nationally than the broader population.

Mount Martha ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Mount Martha, surveyed in 2016, showed below average cultural diversity with 79.1% of its population born in Australia and 91.2% being citizens. English was spoken at home by 94.9%. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 47.1%.

Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 1.0%. In ancestry, English (34.1%) and Australian (25.8%) were substantially higher than regional averages of 20.1% and 18.4% respectively. Irish ancestry was present at 9.7%. Notable overrepresentations also included Scottish (9.5%), Dutch (1.9%), and Welsh (0.7%).

Mount Martha hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Mount Martha's median age is 47 years, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The percentage of residents aged 75-84 is strong at 11.3%, compared to Greater Melbourne's figure, while those aged 25-34 are less prevalent at 5.1%. This 75-84 concentration is higher than the national average of 6.1%. According to post-2021 Census data, the percentage of residents aged 75 to 84 has grown from 8.4% to 11.3%, while those aged 15 to 24 have increased from 11.4% to 13.7%. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 35 to 44 has declined from 11.3% to 9.2%, and those aged 5 to 14 have dropped from 14.6% to 12.9%. Demographic modeling indicates that Mount Martha's age profile will change significantly by 2041. The 75 to 84 cohort is projected to grow by 50%, adding 1,132 residents and reaching a total of 3,411. Residents aged 65 and above are expected to drive 76% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 age cohorts.